The man suspected of assassinating TikTok star Valeria Márquez reportedly returned to her beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco, leaving a bouquet of red roses and a note that simply read, “sorry.” The 23-year-old influencer’s life was cut short on May 14, 2025, during a TikTok livestream, and this eerie act has deepened the mystery surrounding her murder.
Valeria was streaming live from her salon, Blossom The Beauty Lounge, when two men arrived on a motorcycle. One, wearing a mask, entered and asked, “Are you Valeria?” After she confirmed, he shot her at least twice in the chest and head before fleeing with his accomplice. The horrific moment, captured on her livestream, left thousands of viewers in shock. Paramedics arrived around 6:30 p.m. local time, but Valeria was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are investigating the case as a femicide, highlighting Mexico’s ongoing struggle with gender-based violence.
Earlier that day, the suspect had visited the salon, posing as a delivery driver with a supposed “expensive gift” for Valeria. Her fear was evident during her final stream, where she said,
“Maybe they were going to kill me,”
expressing concerns about being kidnapped. These haunting words now fuel speculation about her killer’s motives.
The suspect supposedly went back to the crime scene afterwards and left a glass vase containing a bouquet of red roses and a “sorry” message written in Spanish. Sent through a application-delivery service, the act baffled investigators who took the objects away for forensic testing. The fact that the suspect insisted on verifying Valeria’s identity at the time of the attack indicates he might be a hitman hired on behalf of another person.
Valeria, a Zapopan native, rose to fame after winning the Miss Rostro pageant in 2021, building a following of over 200,000 on TikTok and Instagram with her beauty and lifestyle content. Her salon was both her business and a hub for engaging fans. However, her social media posts hinted at personal turmoil, particularly with an ex-partner she publicly blamed for potential harm. In one Instagram post, she wrote,
“I hold [him] responsible for anything that might happen to me or my family,”
fueling suspicions he may have orchestrated the killing, possibly linked to organized crime.
The investigation has taken a personal turn, with authorities interviewing Valeria’s friends, family, and ex-partner. Leaked messages reveal threats from him, including
“You don’t know my worst sides,”
her reports of him appearing at places she visited. Despite these clues, no formal charges have been filed as of May 22, 2025.
The death of Valeria has prompted outrage and reflection on social media. Fans mourn her loss, and some unfairly blamed her, making unfounded speculation about her possible connection to crime. The victim-blaming resonates with the larger problem in Mexico as women’s murders tend to be subject to questioning and not justice. The state of Jalisco’s well-known powerful cartels complicate the case even as a direct connection to organized crime has not yet been established.
Her killing highlights the risks posed by influencers, particularly women, in countries torn by conflict. The roses and “sorry” message found at the scene remain a chilling reminder of a crime which has dominated a nation and remains unsolved.
